Copper Washers: A beautiful addition to your Jewelry Designs

October 31, 2011

Earrings made with copper washers and copper wire

Copper washers may seem overly industrial for jewelry, but with a little manipulation, they work great. Ever since we started carrying them a couple of weeks ago, I have been experimenting and the results have been fabulous! And I have only scratched the surfaced. These washers would be great linked as bracelets, soldered together for fabulous bib necklaces or dapped into pretty dome shapes!

Everything you need to create hammered copper links: Washers, steel block, and hammers. Oh and some copper wire can add a nice touch!

I chose to distress the washers using a steel block and multiple hammers. Then I used a little liver of sulfur to blacken the washers and some steel wool to buff them up. The result is the antiqued hammered links that can be used anywhere you would use any other link.

Solid copper jump rings are nice, because it’s great to say that nothing in your design is plated. But they are only available in a few sizes, so I love to have the assorted copper jump ring mix on hand too, because then I always have the right size.

Hi, Tiffany,
Wow! These are amazing!!!! I can’t wait to order and get started. I am trying to find all the supplies needed for the earrings with the chains. Can you please send me the list of items I need to purchase? Thanks so much!!!!

I have been trying to figure out what tool to use to create the that raised circle texture. In the photo with the caption, “Look at all the pretty washers! The assortment pack is great because there are several sizes.” I am referring to the washers on the bottom left of the photo. How do you do that?
Thanks so very much. Denise

Hi Deb,
I usually hammer both sides, but you can hammer just one if you prefer.
One issue is that when you hammer the 2nd side, the marks on the first side can get a bit flattened, so you need to do a little on each side, and then a bit more on each side, and then sometimes a final bit of touch up on each side.
~Polly

Hi, these are fabulous. When making the earrings, what type of copper wire do you use? The kind you flattened and what gauge. You do wonderful work. thank you for sharing your ideas and knowledge of jewelry making!

Hi Tiffany,
I am looking for brass or silver washers to stamp and use for making bracelets. The washer would lay flat on the wrist and be in contact with the skin. I went to Home Depot as others have recommended to find these supplies but noticed the washer came with a hazard warning! so I did not purchase them. What metal should I look for that can be stamped and will be perfectly safe to use in jewelry making where it will be in direct contact with the skin on a daily basis ??

Hi Diane,
Sterling Silver is safest, of the metals that you’re likely to find in washer-shaped and -sized components. We have one sterling washer-shaped blank, but it’s quite a bit more expensive that what you’d find in the hardware store: http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Sterling-Silver-Metal-Stamping-Blanks/Sterling-Silver-Stamping-Blank-Ring-22mm.html
I would say that copper is next on the list of safety (although it’s not in your list of colors). Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Very few people are allergic to either silver or copper, and copper is occasionally used as cookware and drinkware. However, copper can turn your skin green (where it fits tightly).
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Zinc is a food supplement you can buy, but in excess amounts it can be toxic. Brass has a lot of copper, and can turn your skin green (where it fits tightly).
Aluminum has been associated with a memory disorder, but it’s also commonly used for food storage, and it is lightweight and easy to stamp. I personally don’t like the feel of it touching my skin, but I like upcycling fun found aluminum objects in ways that keep the aluminum protected (it scratches easily) and also keep it from touching my skin (sandwiching it between layers, with windows).
Nickel silver is a common metal used in inexpensive jewelry. But since many people are allergic to nickel, it’s best to use it in layers that don’t rest directly on the skin.
Stainless steel usually has a high nickel content (usually 8-10%) so although stainless steel is popular for jewelry, not everyone can wear it (and you can’t sell it in the UK due to the nickel ban for jewelry).
Of metals that you’re likely to find at the hardware store, you are probably best off with copper washers and brass washers. Find a nice witty way to explain that yes, they may turn you green on a hot day (right where the washer rests), but that means it’s solid copper (or brass), not some plating that will wear off.
Here are our washers and washer-style jewelry blanks: http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Washers-and-Decorative-Washers/
–Polly

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